The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that parents prevent children under the age of two from watching television and that parents restrict screen time for elementary school-aged kids in general. According to the medical establishment, TV viewing can be harmful for very young children, whose eyes and brains are still developing. In the wake of some studies that suggest a similar correlation between children and the Internet, many parents are erring on the side of caution and restricting their children from smartphones.
While parents generally agree that basic cell phones can be helpful for adolescents, the unrestricted Internet access available on smartphones gives some moms and dads cause for concern. Even though the kids of this generation are well familiar with the Internet, parents still feel wary about allowing them free rein in choosing which websites to visit. And with good reason – the idea of a child viewing adult content on a personal Internet device is enough to make any parent worry.
Along with the potential moral impact, some studies have shown that there may be physical side effects of early smartphone usage. Continuously viewing the small screen on smartphones can cause children to develop near-sightedness. The emphasis on touch and tapping motions can also negatively impact basic motor skills, making it difficult for kids to learn essential life skills such as shoe-tying and handwriting.
Due to concerns such as these, in a recent survey of 1,000 parents, two-thirds said they think children under age 16 should not have smartphones. Surprisingly, kids who were surveyed tended to agree with this restriction, meaning that this should be one less area of contention in the family home.
Image c/o: digitpedia
